1A Elliot Williams On New York City, Race, And The ‘Subway Vigilante’
Jan 21, 2026
Elliot Williams, a CNN legal analyst and author of 'Five Bullets,' revisits the controversial 1984 subway shooting by Bernard Goetz that ignited a national debate on race and vigilantism. He discusses the chaotic crime atmosphere in 1980s New York and how public fear shaped perceptions of Goetz as a vigilante hero. Williams debunks myths surrounding the shooting, examines the lives of the teens involved, and reflects on the intricate legal and social implications that still resonate today.
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Incident Shaped National Debate
- The Goetz shooting forced national debates on race, vigilantism, and public safety that still resonate today.
- Elliot Williams frames the case as a lens on how fear shaped perceptions of cities in the 1980s.
NRA's Strategic Turn
- The NRA shifted in the late 1970s from sporting group to aggressive Second Amendment advocacy.
- The organization used Goetz's case to bolster self-defense narratives and fund his defense despite his atypical profile.
What Happened In The Subway Car
- Goetz boarded an express and, within seconds, a member of the group allegedly demanded $5, prompting Goetz to pull a hidden gun.
- Three teens were seriously wounded and one was left paralyzed and brain damaged.
